Australian based broadcasters of the Maota o Viiga Program facing defamation charges in the District Council of Samoa, are seeking the Court’s permission to travel to Australia for medical checks.
The Defendants Toleafoa Sai’a Toleafoa and his wife, Ainuu Iliganoa Savaiinaea are jointly charged with Harassment Using Electronic Communication under Section 219 of the Samoa Crimes Act, and False Statement Causing Harm to a Person’s Reputation under Section 117A.
The couple reside in Australia and have maintained their innocence pleading not guilty to criminal charges brought against them by a New Zealand–based program Tautai A’e and its host, Asiata Pio Vaoliko.
Court proceedings to hear the application to leave Samoa was set before District Court Judge Alalatoa Rosella Papalii on Friday.
However before submissions were made the Court Reistrar informed the Open Court and members of the media present in District Court Room 3 that the matter would be closed to the public.
“E faasilasila atu i le paia ma le mamalu o loo i totonu o lenei potu faamasino, o le a le faatagaina se isi e leai se sootaga i lea mataupu, e aofia ai ma le tatou media, talu ai e iai ni ata poo videos o le a faaalia, ma o le mafuaaga lea o le a lē talia ai a outou afioga.
“E na’o i laua lava o loo aafia faapea ma loia o itu e lua o le a faatagaina.”
One of the main reasons for closing the hearing to the public, is because the substantive hearing has not yet commenced, and some of the evidence such as videos in relation to the substantive hearing would be shown as outlined by the Court.
The hearing lasted for about an hour.
Outside of the Courtroom the media sought for an update of the matter from one of the defendant’s, Toleafoa Sai’a Toleafoa.
“I cannot go into details of the hearing, but what I can say is that the Court has reserved it decision to the 10th of next month.”
The substantive hearing date for the matter has been set for 20 July 2026 by Judge Papalii.
They were also ordered to continue with their bail conditions which include signing at the Police Station every Friday.
They are allowed to continue with their online program Maota o Viiga but issued an order that they are “strictly prohibited from making any adverse publications against the complainant or any other person on any social media platform”.
The decision of Judge Alalatoa Rosella Papalii as to whether this couple will be released to return home to Australia will be delivered next week Wednesday 10th December 2025..
It’s December! Christmas is Near 🎄
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